In the past few years, new developments in structured electromagnetic materials have given rise to negative refractive index materials which have both negative dielectric permittivity and negative magnetic permeability in some frequency ranges. The idea of a negative refractive index opens up new conceptual frontiers in photonics. One much-debated example is the concept of a perfect lens that enables imaging with sub-wavelength image resolution. Here we review the fundamental concepts and ideas of negative refractive index materials. First we present the ideas of structured materials or meta-materials that enable the design of new materials with a negative dielectric permittivity, negative magnetic permeability and negative refractive index. We discuss how a variety of resonance phenomena can be utilized to obtain these materials in various frequency ranges over the electromagnetic spectrum. The choice of the wave-vector in negative refractive index materials and the issues of dispersion, causality and energy transport are analysed. Various issues of wave propagation including nonlinear effects and surface modes in negative refractive materials (NRMs) are discussed. In the latter part of the review, we discuss the concept of a perfect lens consisting of a slab of a NRM. This perfect lens can image the far-field radiative components as well as the nearfield evanescent components, and is not subject to the traditional diffraction limit. Different aspects of this lens such as the surface modes acting as the mechanism for the imaging of the evanescent waves, the limitations imposed by dissipation and dispersion in the negative refractive media, the generalization of this lens to optically complementary media and the possibility of magnification of the near-field images are discussed. Recent experimental developments verifying these ideas are briefly covered. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)

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Physics of negative refractive index materials

This paper develops a quasi-analytical and self-consistent model to compute the polarizabilities of split ring resonators (SRRs). An experimental setup is also proposed for measuring the magnetic polarizability of these structures. Experimental data are provided and compared with theoretical results computed following the proposed model. By using a local field approach, the model is applied to the obtaining of the dispersion characteristics of discrete negative magnetic permeability and left-handed metamaterials. Two types of SRRs, namely, the so-called edge coupled- and broadside coupled- SRRs, have been considered. A comparative analysis of these two structures has been carried out in connection with their suitability for the design of metamaterials. Advantages and disadvantages of both structures are discussed.

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Comparative analysis of edge- and broadside- coupled split ring resonators for metamaterial design - theory and experiments

Mie resonance-based dielectric metamaterials

We present a review of the discrete dipole approximation (DDA), which is a general method to simulate light scattering by arbitrarily shaped particles. We put the method in historical context and discuss recent developments, taking the viewpoint of a general framework based on the integral equations for the electric field. We review both the theory of the DDA and its numerical aspects, the latter being of critical importance for any practical application of the method. Finally, the position of the DDA among other methods of light scattering simulation is shown and possible future developments are discussed.

The discrete dipole approximation: an overview and recent developments

We show that extraordinary light transmission of periodic subwavelength hole arrays, generally attributed to surface-plasmon resonances, is strongly influenced by the hole shape. Both experiments and calculations, based on a Fourier modal method, demonstrate that a shape change from circular to rectangular increases the normalized transmission by an order of magnitude while the hole area decreases. Moreover, the spectra exhibit large redshifts (~2500 cm-1). A comparison with the transmission of isolated holes shows that shape resonances of the rectangular holes play a dominant role.

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Strong influence of hole shape on extraordinary transmission through periodic arrays of subwavelength holes.

We study experimentally and numerically the electromagnetic resonances in split ring resonators (SRRs), around 1 GHz. For an individual SRR, we show that both electric and magnetic fields can induce resonances, the magnetic one being the strongest. The utilization of such resonant structures as efficient microwave filter is also demonstrated. The coupling between two or more SRRs can be quite complex and strongly depends on their geometrical arrangement. For small separation distances, very strong coupling, leading to sharp resonances with high quality factors are observed. In that case a magnetic field circulation which connects neighboring elements is established. The practical implications of these results for the fabrication of a left-handed metamaterial are discussed.

Electromagnetic resonances in individual and coupled split-ring resonators

We study experimentally and numerically a novel three-dimensional magnetic resonator structure with high isotropy. It is formed by crossed split-ring resonators and has a response independent of the illumination direction in a specific plane. The utilization of such elements to build a finite left-handed medium is discussed.

Efficient isotropic magnetic resonators

Reference LEMA-ARTICLE-1997-005View record in Web of Science Record created on 2006-11-30, modified on 2016-08-08

Three-dimensional planar radiating structures in stratified media

We study experimentally the response of three-dimensional arrays of microscopic wires. Very good agreement is found with previous theoretical work indicating that such a system can be considered as an effective plasmonic medium with a specific plasma frequency. The sample size threshold where this effective behavior appears is shown to be relatively small.

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Philippe Gay-Balmaz

Papers

Electromagnetic resonances in individual and coupled split-ring resonators

Efficient isotropic magnetic resonators

Three-dimensional planar radiating structures in stratified media

Microwire arrays with plasmonic response at microwave frequencies

Validity domain and limitation of non-retarded Green's tensor for electromagnetic scattering at surfaces